Overall Activity Trends: The number of visits and hospitalizations among adults remained stable over the past week (+3%, +7,476 visits out of a total of 236,000 visits). In contrast, activity in emergency departments and hospitalizations among children under 15 increased by 11% (+6,958 visits) and 10% (+681 hospitalizations), respectively. The number of visits remains higher than in 2013 during this period.

Trends in Major ConditionsThe most common conditions seen in emergency departments remain stable among adults and are generally on the rise among children under 15, in line with the overall increase in activity. In this age group, trauma and ENT infections are the most common conditions seen in emergency departments. It is also noted that bronchiolitis and asthma are the third most common diagnoses in emergency departments among children under 2 years of age and children aged 2–14, respectively.

Trends in Seasonal Indicators Among children under 15, an increase in emergency department visits is observed for the following indicators: asthma (+73%, or +824 visits), acute bronchitis (+52%, or +153 visits), ENT infections (+40%, or +1,576 visits), and pneumonia (+35%, or +133 visits). Among adults, these indicators remain stable. With the exception of visits for acute bronchitis, whose numbers are similar to those of the previous two years, the numbers for the other indicators are higher than those of 2012 and 2013 (particularly for asthma). Among children under 2 years of age, emergency department visits for bronchiolitis are also up by 44% (+343 visits over the past week), with a seasonal trend mirroring that of 2013. Emergency department visits for gastroenteritis are increasing among adults (+10%, +35 visits) and more markedly among children under 15 years of age (+31%, +260 visits). With 1,498 visits over the past week, the numbers are close to those of the previous two years. Emergency department visits for influenza/flu-like illness are also on the rise across all age groups (+16%, +37 visits). The numbers are consistent with those of the previous two years. Emergency department visits for fever alone are stable across all age groups.